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Chapter 2

Buck failed to mention the five mile trek out of town. The Alabama heat was getting to Jon as the sun began beating down on his back. After mile number three he discarded his shirt and draped it around his neck. He could see the top of the house over the trees in the distance as he approached. He turned directions down a dirt road just as Buck had instructed. Soon enough a pale yellow house came into view.

At first glance it appeared grand, and quite impressive. With only a second look he realized that wasn't the case. The house was in horrible disrepair. He knocked on the front door with a heavy hand as he eyed the property. His knock startled Maggie as she was making lunch for herself and Michaela. She wiped her hands on her jeans, "Just a minute." she called.

Jon didn't hear her, and when no one came to the door he knocked again, loudly. He raked a hand through his sweat soaked hair and stood waiting.

Without warning Maggie swung open the door. "Can I help you?" she asked with a hesitant smile. She eyed his shirtless form nervously.

"Yeah, I'm Jon. I'm here about the handyman job?" It came out as a question. She seemed taken aback by his words.

"Oh. Okay. Wow! I really figured that ad was a long shot. I'm Maggie." She smiled wider now, and not knowing what to say Jon just shrugged.

"Well, come on in, and lets get to know a little more about you." she moved to the side to let him pass inside.

Jon nodded his approval and stepped into the cool crisp air of the Blackbird. He pulled his tshirt from around his neck and slipped it on as he followed Maggie into the kitchen. Boxes still sat about. The rooms still were in need of painting. It looked as if no one had even really been living here. Just the basics. Couch, television, coffee table. No pictures on the walls, not a thing to show that a family lived here.

Jon heard girlish giggles coming from the kitchen that froze him in his tracks. He watched as Maggie swayed into the kitchen. And it was almost slow motion as he saw her mini-me wrap herself around her leg, laughing hysterically for no apparent reason.

"This is Michaela." she pointed to the blonde girl at her feet.

At the mention of her name, the toddler stood and stuck out her hand proudly. "Mikey." she said to Jon.

He snapped out of his horror and crouched down to meet the girl. "Mikey? Isn't that a boy's name?" he asked teasingly.

The pretty toddler got a scared look on her face and turned around to her mom. "It's both." she assured her daughter.

"Its both." Mikey informed Jon.

"Well, its good to meet you, Mikey. I'm Jon."

He looked into her blue eyes. Took in her long blonde curls. The child was almost a carbon copy of her mother. As he stood, on closer inspection, he noticed that Maggie had brown eyes, and a layer of freckles across her cheeks and nose. His lips turned up into a slight smile.

"Go ahead and have a seat." Maggie smiled as she motioned to a stool. "I have a list of just basic questions." she said flippantly as she searched for her written list. "Ah! Here it is!" she smiled as she laid it out before her on the island.

Mikey played at their feet while she ran down the list of requirements and questions. Jon was surprised how well behaved the little girl was. He was also surprised how beautiful he found her mother. The process was going smoothly, and despite not liking to open up, Jon was determined to do what he had to do to get a job. He was low on funds, and it was time to make some money.

He knew the question that always came up was about to come up once again, and he was right.

"Ever been to jail for anything serious? Convicted of any felonies or anything like that?" she asked with bright eyes. If she was expecting him to give the answer he was about to, she hid it well.

He took a deep breath. "Actually, yes."

Maggie's whole demeanor changed. Her eyes darted to Mikey and her sat up straight.

"Okay, would you care to tell me about that?" she asked.

"Well, I served three years for assault. It was a basic bar fight that went wrong. Before that, I was working for a major company making pretty good money, and traveling. I screwed it all up by having too many drinks and not knowing when to shut up." he shrugged. "That's the story. I didn't rape or kill anyone, never robbed or broken in any place. Not on drugs, and I don't even drink anymore. That's all in the past."

Maggie folded her hands politely in her lap. "Okay well, if you want to give me a phone number I will get back with you. I just don't want to make any firm decisions right now." she said as she stood.

Jon got the message, "Okay, listen don't even worry about it. I know, nobody wants a convict hanging around. Especially with..." he nodded to Mikey. "See ya around." he waved to Maggie. "I'll show myself out."

Maggie watched him leave. He was the only person who had even inquired about the job. The ad had been running for four weeks. She watched what felt like her only hope walking down her driveway.